Since the mid 2000’s, Mike Body continues to release music that edifies the soul and help inspire the marginalized and those that feel spiritually deficient. Witnessing and dealing with hardships of his own, Mike’s music is often catered to the downtrodden and the oppressed. Born and raised in Baltimore City around his favorite neighborhood called Poplar Grove, you’ll also hear some of those influences that helped shape him as a boy into a man.
Signs Of Maturity:
Mike continues to stay true to his beliefs, as he matures he has become more community minded and family oriented, which reflects today in his music and in his personal life. Mike has received critical acclaim and success as a solo artist.. Mike has been nominated for various awards over the last few years, he has won multiple indie awards during that timeframe.
Where are you based?
I’m from Baltimore
How long have you been making music?
For awhile now but its been a great ride and I appreciate it more now as I’m getting closer to the end. I never envisioned doing music as a solo artist for no longer than 1 album. Years later I look up and see how my fanbase has grown but most importantly my love for it continues to grow.
What genre would you consider your music to be?
Hmmm….. Some say I’m a conscious rapper, some say I’m a spirtual rapper, and some say I’m a christian rapper…. Over the last few years I’m less concerned with hard capped genre placements because it gives you little room as an artist to shape your art. I am a christian and I do believe Jesus the Messiah exists and even though I fail many times I do practice his teachings which you hear in some of my content as an artist.
What inspired you to pursue a career in music?
My first pursuit to get signed with a major label was with a group called the Nocklist and my 2nd was with a group called We Are Bnc. We had alot of talent on the roster in the Nocklist group but unfortunately things didnt work out at the time for various reasons. The We Are Bnc group got signed to an indie label but the label didnt really know what to do with us and we learned some valuable lessons about how shady labels can be so we had to force our way out of that contract to release our album independently. Right now I’m content and happy staying independent.
What are your biggest musical influences?
Just dealing with rap music I would say 2pac, Jay Z, Nas and to bring it a lil closer to home my homie 600 Rush from the first rap group I was apart of. He was influential when I first started.
Are you signed to a label or are you an independent artist?
Independent
What have been the biggest challenges in your music career?
When you are attempting to do music on a professional level, some people dont realize how hard it is for independent artists to continue to put out quality music. Financially its not easy at all and thats why we need and ask for support from the people we know. I thank God because even during times of financial struggles, he has always surrounded me with good people that believed in me enough as an artist to see my vision through. Some were people I know and some have been strangers I didn’t know at all.
How many songs or albums have you released to date?
I think its over 70 songs now
Can you tell us a few things about your latest release?
Epilogue is a imperfect/ perfect project. At least it is in my opinion. I wrote Epilogue for a particular audience so I’m not sure how some of my other audience will respond to it but I’m not worried. Its only 6 songs on it because I like how the number 6 means imperfect in the bible. Man was also created on the 6th day…. The Ep pays homage to my roots as a rapper and as a person. Where I grew up will always be important to me because I seen and experienced so much as kid around my neighborhood.
Any plans for new music or upcoming projects we should know about?
The new project ‘Epilogue’ was gonna be my final project but during the recording process I had another thought to express before I go, so I have one more to release called ‘Ad Infinitum’ thats in the works ….Right now ‘Epilogue’ is out now so I hope that project continues to gain traction. Also I have a new single coming out called Rachel & Jacob Vibes. It features the talented female rapper/ singer Bandy, That should be coming out any day now.
